But enough about us. In celebration of the city we just can't quit, we've also got a host of Best of St. Louis content, including 40 cheap thrills, 40 marvels and 40 flavors. Oh, and let's not forget our annual readers' poll, which includes 40 food and drink winners and another 40 in arts, culture, shopping, media, politics and the outdoors.

Finally, much as we'd normally skip right over the news in an issue already bursting at its seams, we've been overtaken by current events, which have remained as compelling in recent weeks as in any time in the paper's history. Our coverage of the disruption that's seized the metro area continues in our news section. (For the very latest, please visit our website.)

Thank you for being here to celebrate our big birthday, and thank you for reading along with us week in, week out, as we strive to cover this fascinating city and the people who call it home. We couldn't have done it without you, and we're delighted you're still here — yeah, and that we are too.